BREXIT - what about “our” future?

04/07/2016

A recent event shaking the European “project” and whatever it stands on, without further thinking, is definitely Great Britain’s decision to leave European Union or so popularly called ''BREXIT''. The Referendum took place all over the country, with a simple question: Remain or Leave.

There was a suspicion upon the lack of percentage of people voting to remain, which in the end as proven wasn’t simply enough to outvote the decision of others. As presented on Friday, 24th of June 2016, the small majority of UK voters was enough to set the results. However, what was the incentives behind of “BREXIT” vote.

Based on recent event, it is clear that there were various reasons to vote to “leave” EU, or as it is wrongly said “Europe”. First of all, it is clear that Xenophobia playing its own ‘’main‘’ role. The issue of Migration was affecting discussions and politics since the raise of populist parties in UK, as for example UKIP (UK Independence Party). The aggression towards refugees and migrants has permeated in and by the international sphere with the most devastating implications, resulting in the raise of groups that are hostile and unreceptive towards people with different backgrounds or in general with different nationalities (e.g. Polish).

If someone would ask, it would be difficult for me to comment on technical aspects of this decision, like how it will impact Britain, European Union or the Global Economy, but seeing the Referendum from a youth perspective, it brings up a lot of doubtful questions and it puts the future of youngsters in a space of insecurity and instability. Based on media and statistics that followed the voting, a huge number of youngsters voted to remain in the European Union. Age-breakdown is clearly visible between “stay” young supporters and “leave” elderly population. Based on these demographics, the future and therefore the point where youngsters will take over, was affected and altered once more by the elder generation.

Taking a look on the previous factors, the main question that pops out is, how will it be for young people to live in a Britain under this new status-quo? The consequences are still unclear, waiting to be reveled and seen. The climate is still uncertain, but youth is preparing and uniting against this future. Till some extend, it is foreseen that this “exit” will affect youngsters on many different levels. Roughly said, they will lose the right to live and work in 27 other countries and who knows to which point will there be an effect in opportunities that are within an EU framework (Erasmus+ etc).

Based on the facts, it is clear that populism and racism is raising in UK, but someone could say Europe in general. There is a significant alert and that sets the European cooperation and the project itself under a test. Other countries might follow. However, how does this affect organizations like YEU? It is clear that it does. The ideals, values and work it performs, strongly relates with cooperation, solidarity, intercultural dialogue and experiences that develop people, specifically young people. Our work focuses on what was the initial idea of “Europe” was. United to work for a better future, to leave conflicts and wars back. As Shuman said “The contribution which an organized and living Europe can bring to civilization is indispensable to the maintenance of peaceful relations.” A peace process which offers maintenance of Democracy, human development and understanding, development and security of people and of their human rights, which are now questioned under the “Refugee Crisis” or the discussions around the freedom of movement. All these in the end affect future generations and young people who are the future decision-makers, leaders and people who will have to live with what all of us have created and give to them today.

One thing is clear, borders shouldn’t restrict compassion and fear shouldn’t control the system. It is in everyone’s best interest socially, politically or even economically, to recognize the perspective of young people and join them in achieving a positive and sustainable future through local, regional and global change. Remember, hate towards differences, is hate towards ourselves.

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